Contra Costa NOW

NOW Hear This: May 26, 2023 Newsletter

Message from National NOW President Christian F. Nunes

Greeting Feminists,

Yesterday marked three years since George Floyd was brutally murdered by police. In that time, promises of advancing racial justice were made, broken, and largely forgotten by our leaders. 

Law enforcement officers continue to target and brutalize Black and brown Americans with relative impunity. Legislative efforts to ensure accountability and curb violence have stalled or have been defeated. And there are still too many people in power who deny systemic racism even exists.  

Inaction has put more lives at risk, led to more fatalities, retraumatized communities of color, and sowed deeper distrust in our justice system.  The only way to truly honor George Floyd’s legacy is to implement real, substantive reform. 

We cannot allow our leaders to continue to overlook acts of brutality committed by the police against people of color. We must continue this fight by pressing our elected officials to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, once and for all.

In solidarity, 

Christian 

Over-the-Counter Contraception is a Necessity 

May 11, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – – In a historic move, an FDA advisory committee of outside experts unanimously voted to approve nonprescriptive contraception for over-the-counter (OTC) use. Sixty-three years since the FDA first approved hormonal birth control medication, this no-prescription birth control pill can vastly expand reproductive justice for all women. 

Nonprescription, over-the-counter contraceptives are safe and have been available in more than 100 countries for years. Once formally approved by the FDA, this decision will provide a critical lifeline to marginalized women living in rural areas, on reservations, and in poverty-impacted communities. With increasing attacks on our reproductive freedoms, this news could not have come at a more critical moment. More than ever, women need better access to resources that empower them to take control of their reproductive decisions moving forward.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the nation’s leading membership-based advocacy group dedicated to defending women’s rights, advancing equality and combating injustice in all aspects of social, political and economic life. Through educating, mobilizing, and convening a vast network of grassroots activists across the country, NOW advocates for national, state and local policies that promote an anti-racist and intersectional feminist agenda. Since its founding in 1966, NOW has been on the frontlines of nearly every major advancement for women’s rights and continues to champion progressive values today. More about NOW’s efforts and resources is available at NOW.org.

In solidarity,
Christian F. Nunes
President

THE ISSUE

In less than two weeks, there could well be no access to one of the safest methods of abortion available, medication abortion, now used in a majority of abortions in the U.S.  – and widely used around the world. An anti-abortion organization, Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, filed a lawsuit in November demanding that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) withdraw their approval of medication abortion. The judge has set a briefing deadline for February 24^th.

See link below for full details.

Medication Abortion Access Threatened by Texas Judge – NOW led the Effort to Bring Medication Abortion to the U.S. – Help Us Fight This 

February marks the start of Black History Month! And while this month is a chance to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Black Americans, it is also a reminder that we must continue in the fight for racial justice.

After selecting the recipients of our 2022 Contra Costa NOW university scholarships, we decided to check back with our first 2 winners of the 2021 scholarships.  We are pleased to acknowledge that both continue to succeed in their academic initiatives, contribute positively to their respective communities, and progress notably in the pursuit of their career goals.

Sia´h Fanta Jimissa

Sia´h just finished her second year at UC Berkeley and is currently finishing up her application for the Public Health major.  Sia´h´s extracurricular activities include serviing as the K-12 Recruitment Coordinator for the Black Recruitment and Retention Center, a student organization that hosts programs to encourage Black students to pursue and complete college. She was able to create and host programs including a scholarship and a shadow day for Black high school students.  This summer, she is participating in the UCSF Children’s Hospital’s Student Summer Research Program, an especially valuable opportunity for a Public Health major.

Thyra Anastashia Cobbs

Thyra is currently double majoring in African American studies and History, and minoring in African studies at UCLA.   She is in the Honors program, the Academic Achievement Program (AAP), and the Bruin Scholars program for foster youth/students who have been in guardianship. She has also been accepted for the McNair Research Scholars program and is currently researching the effects of Afrocentric psychological interventions on UCLA’s Black population. Next spring quarter, Thyra will be teaching a student-led seminar on Afrocentric Black Psychology through the Honors Program.   She is also engaging in student activism and leadership, having been appointed as the Transfer Coordinator for the African Student Union and will soon be applying to serve as the Campus Director of Mental Health in UCLA’s student government.

Meetup in Martinez & Bus to Sacramento
Action groups from across the East Bay will attend the Bans Off Our Body March & Rally at the California State Capitol Building in Sacramento.  Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) has generously agreed to cover the cost of buses for those who would like to ride together (masks required on board).
Waiver forms will be available and required.

Location: Martinez CourtHouse
725 Court St, Martinez, CA 94553

Time: Meetup at 8:30
Buses Leave at 9:30 Sharp

Agenda
8:30 – Gathering at Martinez Courthouse
8:40  – 9:15 Engaging speakers will rally the crowd
9:15 – move to buses or cars to drive to Sacramento
9:30 – Buses leave (no latecomers)
11:00 – March & Rally in Sacramento
3:00 – Buses leave Sacramento returning to Martinez (no latecomers)
4:00 – Buses arrive in Martinez  (time is approximate)

More details about speakers to follow  –

Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bans-off-our-body-meetup-bus-to-martinez-tickets-335787799347